Spend on Poker Machines Increases in August Quarter

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 - Roy Morgan Research

Australians’ spend on poker-machines has increased to $2.9 billion for the August 2012 quarter, according to the latest Roy Morgan Gambling Monitor.

Despite some seasonality in Poker Machine playing there has been a trend down in spending over the past few years. The latest research conducted by Roy Morgan Research between June and August this year shows Poker Machine spend is on the increase. This is driven by an increase in spending among Poker Machine players rather than an increase in the number of people playing the pokies.

In the three months to August 2012 Australians spent $2.9 billion on Poker Machines, up from a low of $2.1 billion in the three months to January 2012.

Expenditure is much higher on Poker Machines than any other form of gambling. In terms of spend, betting on racing ranks second, followed by lotteries/scratch tickets, sports betting, casino table games, and Keno at a club, pub or casino.

“In the survey conducted June to August 2012 Australians reported spending more on Poker Machines – not only more than the previous quarter but more than during the same period in 2011.

“Our data shows a continuing decline in the percentage of Australians playing Poker Machines. However, although less Australians are now playing the pokies compared to one year ago, those who are playing are spending more.”

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Roy Morgan Research is Australia’s best known and longest established market research and public opinion survey company. Roy Morgan Single Source is thorough, accurate, and provides comprehensive, directly applicable information about current and future customers. It is unique in that it directs all the questions to each individual from a base survey sample of around 55,000 interviews in Australia and 15,000 interviews in New Zealand annually - the largest Single Source databases in the world. The questions asked relate to lifestyle and attitudes, media consumption habits (including TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, cinema, catalogues, pay TV and the Internet), brand and product usage, purchase intentions, retail visitations, service provider preferences, financial information and recreation and leisure activities. This lead product is supported by a nationally networked, consultancy-orientated market research capability.Shaun EllisP: 03 9224 5332W:www.roymorgan.com